Ray Johnson, Lockheed’s chief technical officer, said his company would use the quantum computer to create and test complex radar, space and aircraft systems. Here’s their attempt to explain quantum mechanics, an incomprehensible concept for most people (in this universe).

Quantum cryptography exploits a unique property of single particles, such as photons: they can exist in two separate states – such as vertically polarized or horizontally polarized – or something in-between, known as a quantum superposition.

Quantum cryptography has been described as a way of creating “unbreakable” messages and has attracted the attention of major technology companies, governments, banks and other security-focused clients. The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication relies on a secure network for transmitting messages between financial institutions.